7 Best Places to See Wildlife in Latin America, According to a Travel Expert

Where to spot jaguars, giant tortoises, and capybaras.

Latin America is a wildlife enthusiast's dream, home to many diverse ecosystems teeming with unique flora and fauna. Here are some of the best places to go wildlife spotting in the region.

The Pantanal, Brazil

The Pantanal is the world's largest tropical wetland. Although it's less well-known than other areas in South America, it's one of the continent's best wildlife viewing locations. Through a guided safari, visitors can spot jaguars, capybaras, giant otters, caimans, and an abundance of bird species. The best time to spot the region’s iconic and rare jaguars is during the dry season, from June to October.

Related: Brazil's Ecosystems Are Under Threat — but These Eco-lodges Are Trying to Save Them

Galápagos Islands, Ecuador

These volcanic islands are world-famous for their diverse wildlife, including giant tortoises, marine iguanas, blue-footed boobies, and penguins. It's one of the most pristine ecosystems on earth, with 97 percent of the land designated as a protected park, offering unparalleled opportunities for up-close wildlife encounters, both on land and underwater.

Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica

This peninsula is one of the most biologically rich regions on the planet. Located in the far southwest of Costa Rica, it's home to the primary rain forest of Corcovado National Park and the waters of the Golfo Dulce. This is a truly remote wilderness and a great place to spot rare mammals such as white-faced capuchins, margays, ocelots, and tapirs, an animal related to the rhinoceros species.

Iberá Wetlands, Argentina

Argentina's Iberá Wetlands are a vast network of marshes, lagoons, and waterways that provide habitat for capybaras, caimans, marsh deer, and more than 350 species of birds. Jaguars have been reintroduced here as part of a groundbreaking conservation effort involving conservation NGOs, government agencies, ecotourism hotels, and local communities. The aim of the project is to restore biodiversity, rebalance the region's ecosystem, and create a sustainable environment for life to thrive.

Península Valdés, Argentina

Here, the spotlight is on marine life. You can see southern right whales, sea lions, orcas, Magellanic penguins, and elephant seals, among other species. The orcas are renowned for their remarkable hunting technique, often beaching themselves to attack sea lion pups in the shallow water.

Patagonia National Park, Chile

This national park in southern Chile was established in 2018, and encompasses diverse landscapes, including mountains, forests, grasslands, rivers, and wetlands. It's home to a wide variety of wildlife, including guanacos, condors, and Andean deer. Visitors also get to observe pumas in their natural habitat.

Tambopata National Reserve, Peru

Located in the Peruvian Amazon, Tambopata is a remarkable natural area with high levels of species. The reserve is an important site for scientific research and conservation efforts, as well as ecotourism. Visitors can explore the rain forest on guided treks or canoe trips led by naturalists who provide insights into the area's ecology and help macaws, monkeys, giant river otters, caimans, and other species.

Lily Bunker is a member of Travel + Leisure's A-List, and specializes in wildlife travel, especially to Antarctica and South America. You can create an itinerary that fits your needs with Bunker by contacting her at lily@jacadatravel.com.

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